Abstract
Introduction
As we increasingly encounter transgender patients in the perioperative setting, it is important to be cognizant of appropriate medical management of the transgender patient. There is limited literature on the appropriate perioperative techniques to implement for adequate pain control in the transgender patient presenting for gender affirming procedures.
Methods
In this scoping review, the authors identify publications that address perioperative pain control techniques that can be implemented by the anesthesiologist such as regional anesthesia, multimodal medications, or non-pharmacologic modalities.
Results
This scoping review included two retrospective reviews, two case reports, and one letter to the editor. There are no prospective, randomized controlled trials on this topic. The limitations of this scoping review include the limited publications that are available to analyze as this is a growing area of medicine.
Conclusion
There are numerous variables that may play a factor in the pain experience of the transgender patient including biological factors, psychological and social factors. Techniques that are necessary for comprehensive pain management include pharmacologic, injections, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, and more. There are limited publications on the comprehensive pain management of the transgender patient; therefore, the authors advocate that as perioperative physicians, anesthesiologists implement comprehensive preemptive analgesia techniques to avoid progression to chronic pain. Clearly more research is necessary to standardize acute pain management techniques in the transgender patient.
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References
Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
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AP and PS conceived the idea, filtered the articles, and contributed to the manuscript writing. VP identified the pertinent articles and contributed to the manuscript writing.
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Appendix
Appendix
In PubMed
(“Transgender Persons”[Mesh] OR “Intersex Persons”[Mesh] OR Transgender OR Transsexual OR Transfeminine OR Transmasculine OR Intersex) AND (“Sex Reassignment Surgery”[Mesh] OR “Gender affirm*” OR “Gender confirm*” OR “Sex reassignment” OR “Gender reassignment” OR “Gender change” OR “Sex change” OR Feminiz* OR Masculin*) AND (“Surgical Procedures, Operative”[Mesh] OR Surger*) AND (“Pain”[Mesh] OR pain).
In Scopus
(“Transgender Persons” OR “Intersex Persons” OR Transgender OR Transsexual OR Transfeminine OR Transmasculine OR Intersex) AND (“Sex Reassignment Surgery” OR “Gender affirm*” OR “Gender confirm*” OR “Sex reassignment” OR “Gender reassignment” OR “Gender change” OR “Sex change” OR Feminiz* OR Masculin*) AND (“Surgical Procedures, Operative” OR Surger*) AND (“Pain” OR pain).
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Patel, A., Palayeker, V. & Shekane, P. Optimal Perioperative Pain Management of the Transgender Patient for Gender Affirming Surgery: A Scoping Review. Curr Pain Headache Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-024-01219-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-024-01219-5